By Michael Swanger michael@dmcityview.com

Celebrating Shakespeare, Salisbury and summer

Modeled after the King’s home in Salisbury, England, the 42-room Salisbury House in Des Moines exudes traditional England. From its 16th Century English oak and flint work, to its original furnishings and a collection of rare works of art, everything about the Salisbury House reflects old Mother England — including the entertainment.

For the fourth consecutive year, the Salisbury House will host Shakespeare on the Lawn. The event runs Friday through Tuesday with a production of “Much Ado About Nothing,” by that most famous of English playwrights — William Shakespeare. Officials says it’s a match made in heaven: Shakespeare’s rollicking romantic comedy, lifted from Tudor England into the 1920s, playing to summer audiences picnicking in the Salisbury House’s splendid gardens and scenic woodlands. As an added bonus of authenticity, it has been said that the house’s Great Hall rafters were imported from an English inn that Shakespeare (1564-1616) used to perform at.

“When you purchase a Shakespeare ticket you get two things: First, a hallmark of culture. People around the world revere Shakespeare and how he speaks to humanity through love, passion, comedy and tragedy,” says Robin Heinemann, co-producer. “Second, when you see Shakespeare outdoors you’re buying a slice of summer. You’re under the stars having a picnic with friends — it’s a classic way to spend a summer evening.”

It all comes together when 20 actors, musicians and dancers under the direction of Lorenzo Sandoval perform “Much Ado About Nothing.” Heinemann says this year’s play is improved, noting the addition of a South American tango dancer and new lighting and sound systems. She says work on the show started last year and rehearsals have been underway since early June.

“It’s a marvelous venue and rich production,” Heinemann says.

Last year’s event drew a record audience of more than 1,000 people and organizers hope to break that record this week. If all goes well, someday they hope to extend the Shakespeare on the Lawn season and possibly make it a repertory festival, which could last as long as four to six weeks. They say a recently procured grant of $5,000 from Bravo Greater Des Moines will help them.

“We not only want to present a first-class festival, but want to create an environment where students and interns can study Shakespeare,” Heinemann says.

Tickets to Shakespeare on the Lawn are $20 for adults and $5 for students ages 12-18. They may be purchased in advance through IowaTix.com or at the gate. Call 274-1777 or visit www.salisburyhouse.org.

Experience the Art Center

“Art Inside Out,” a free one-day celebration of the Des Moines Art Center that includes live music, art activities, architecture tours, games and food, will be held Saturday on the lawn of the Art Center from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Live jazz music by the Scott Davis Quartet (noon), Janey Hooper and the Susie Miget Project (2:30 p.m.) and the John Krantz Trio (5 p.m.) will be held in the Maytag Courtyard. The Meier Terrace will host Latino Pride (11 a.m.), Ississerettes (1 and 3:30 p.m.), Barn Owl Band (1:30 p.m.) and Blue Island Tribe (4 p.m.). Call 277-4405.

Put the needle on the record

515 Alive, Central Iowa’s Urban Music and Arts Festival, returns to Fourth Street in downtown Des Moines on Saturday. More than 60 DJs and bands will play two outdoor stages including the Scion Main Stage and Fourth Street Stage, as well as the Vaudeville Mews, Fourth Street Patio, The Royal Mile, Fourth Street Theater and The Lift. Admission is free. Music starts at 5 p.m. and the last acts go on stage inside the clubs at 1 a.m. Admission is free. For a schedule, visit www.myspace.com/515Alive.

Allison headlines Bowl

Bernard Allison, son of the late blues legend Luther Allison, headlines the 2007 Bowlful of Blues festival Saturday in Newton. Sponsored by the South Skunk Blues Society, the festival will be held at Maytag Park starting with a performance by Wounded Judie (1 p.m.) followed by Joe and Vicki Price (2 p.m.), Trampled Underfoot (3:30 p.m.), Levee Town (5 p.m.), Bryan Lee (6:30 p.m.) and Allison (8:30 p.m.). Ben Green will perform between sets. A post-fest party featuring Levee Town will be held at the American Legion across the street from Maytag Park. Tickets to the fest are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Visit www.southskunkblues.org.

Scene notes

Congratulations to local rockers Mindrite who won the Opening Act Contest sponsored by LAZER 103.3 to share the bill last Sunday with Godsmack at Stephens Auditorium. Godsmack helped select the winner of the contest after it was narrowed to two finalists. As part of the prize package, Mindrite also earned a photo shoot with Godsmack, 10 tickets to the show and autographed copies of Godsmack’s new album, “Godsmack IV.” … Last Saturday, KDSM Fox 17 hosted an open audition for Iowa Idol 2007. Twelve singers made the cut and will compete on Aug. 11 and 19, at the Iowa State Fair. The winner will be flown to Philadelphia for an audition in front of the producers for “American Idol 7.” … The Subdudes, who made a splash in the late ’80s and early ’90s, have cancelled their show Thursday at Nitefall on the River. … Also on Thursday, the “Strange Noize Tour” featuring the Kottonmouth Kings, Tech N9ne, (Hed)PE, Subnoize Souljaz, Blaze and Critical Bill plays the Val Air Ballroom at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $23.50. … The Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival held in downtown Davenport runs Thursday through Sunday. Visit www.bixsociety.org or call (563) 324-7170. ... The Mill in Iowa City is hosting a concert on Saturday at 7 p.m. to celebrate the release of Sandy Dyas’ book, “Down the River” — subject of last week’s Scene Scribe. Performers include Bo Ramsey, Kevin Gordon, Dave Moore, Pieta Brown and Kelly Pardekooper. Tickets are $25. Speaking of The Mill, Mark Olson, formerly of The Jayhawks, plays there Aug. 23. … Americana singer Lara Ewen, who draws comparisons to Lucinda Williams and Patty Griffin, plays A.K. O’Connors in Beaverdale on Sunday and Mars Café on Aug. 3. Both shows are at 8 p.m. She’s on tour promoting her new album, “Ghosts and Gasoline.” Visit www.myspace.com/laraewen. … The Central Iowa Blues Society completed the third installment of its Blues in the Schools, Artist in Residence Program, June 18-29. The program gave students at Scavo the opportunity to learn to play the guitar or harmonica, and included educational lessons on the history and culture of the blues and its impact in Iowa. Blues artists Kevin Burt and Dartanyan Brown led the sessions. The session culminated with a performance at the Des Moines Arts Festival by a student band called the Sound Rangers, which included Uzo Nwaturuocha (11), Steven Banks (17), DeWayne Robinson Jr. (17), Ben Monroe (15) and Drew Davis (15). … Bobby Knight (Star 102.5) and Jimmy Olsen (93.3 KIOA) have teamed up to
create KO Entertainment, available for hire for weddings, parties, etc. Call 778-0244 or 554-6520, or visit www.myspace.com/komobiledj. CV

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